Best way to deal with a Storm Giant Lich? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best way to deal with a Storm Giant Lich? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
gamileo
02-27-06, 11:02 PM So recently in a game I was in a Storm Giant Lich appeared, whom it was revealed later was a 15lvl Wiz before becoming a lich. First off, what CR is that, secondly, how would you go about equiping one of these? (he was guarding a portal) And thirdly, how would you go about beating him?
dok
02-27-06, 11:42 PM So recently in a game I was in a Storm Giant Lich appeared, whom it was revealed later was a 15lvl Wiz before becoming a lich. First off, what CR is that?

Well, a Storm Giant has a base CR of 13. Since Storm Giants don't normally cast spells, we can treat the Wizard class as "non-associated", meaning each level adds +1/2 to the CR. So 15 levels of wizard adds between 7 & 8 to the CR, bringing it up to something between 20 & 21. The Lich template adds +2 CR, for a final CR of 22 to 23.

secondly, how would you go about equiping one of these?

About the same way you'd go equipping a 15th level spellcaster, plus equipment for a Giant combatant. So probably a little bit of both, but neither very well.

And thirdly, how would you go about beating him?

Well, there are a few things we can rule out.

Turning: No chance. The Giant has 19 Hit Dice, plus 15 class levels, and the lich gives +4 Turn Resistance. So you'd need to be able to turn a 38 HD undead. Not happening.

Undeath to Death/Arrow of Undead Slaying/Disintegrate Those 19 HD of Giant adds +11 to the creature's Fortitude saving throw, boosting the normally anemic saving throw of undead and liches.

It's Undead: that means no sneak attack, no big critical hits, no disease/poison/stunning/mind-affecting effects. As a lich, it also ignores cold & electricity

So what can you do? Well, there are a few things open.

First, it doesn't have any Spell Resistance. So spells that don't use a Fortitude or Will save will work just fine. And it's a Large Creature, so touch and ranged touch spells (including rays) are a viable option as well. Just remember to avoid the energy types its immune to.

Now, sporting 34d12 hit dice means around 221 hit points; a 15th level caster with Heal can take away almost all of that. A nice follow up is to have the wizard with the antimagic field sychronize his action with the fighter who charges up with a Bludgeoning weapon to nicely trash the creature; it's AC is worse than the Storm Giants without magic items or spells (hence the antimagic field)

You don't mention what level the PCs are; that's a fairly strong factor in the tactics you use. If they're around 20th level, greater dispelling is a great choice. If they're lower level, not so much so.

It's a longer, slower process, but one strong tactic to use is to have one character Ready an action to either use Counterspelling, Greater dispelling, or an attack to disrupt the creature's spellcasting. There are four PCs, and only one opponent; having one PC give up their actions to neutralize his is a great bargain. Otherwise, consider using dispel magic or greater dispelling against any bracers, rings, and headbands he's wearing; that shuts down a lot of potential defense and spellcasting boosts.

If you want to go for the "counter his actions", there are some things that will help. If one character with a weapon that can hurt the lich is making attacks, Animal Companions, Familiars, and low-level Summoned creatures can all use the Aid Another action to give the "disruptor" bonuses to his AC. (and attack bonus, as needed) Even if one PC has to do nothing but heal/dispel/remove curse on the "Disruptor", you're still looking at two lost PC actions to neutralize the opponent.
Darth Sephiroth
02-28-06, 03:25 PM Vials of holy water would work, large numbers of them, unless you can get some big, honking space guns...
Talisman
03-01-06, 04:32 PM Mordenkainen's disjunction is a killer spell iff your PCs have access to 9th-level magic. It trashes any active spell effects and has a darn good chance at destroying magic items. Yes, they'll get less loot, but they'll be alive to get some.

If a PC has the Purify Spell feat from Book of Exalted Deeds (good creatures take no damage from the spell), the good-aligned melee people can bash away while the spellcaster(s) hurl area-effect damage spells.
Dench
03-01-06, 04:45 PM A 40th level Cleric with 50 Wis will do the job, the thing is how are you going to pay him. :D
Marvos
03-01-06, 09:36 PM Run!!!!!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
gamileo 02-27-06, 11:02 PM	So recently in a game I was in a Storm Giant Lich appeared, whom it was revealed later was a 15lvl Wiz before becoming a lich. First off, what CR is that, secondly, how would you go about equiping one of these? (he was guarding a portal) And thirdly, how would you go about beating him?
dok 02-27-06, 11:42 PM	So recently in a game I was in a Storm Giant Lich appeared, whom it was revealed later was a 15lvl Wiz before becoming a lich. First off, what CR is that? Well, a Storm Giant has a base CR of 13. Since Storm Giants don't normally cast spells, we can treat the Wizard class as "non-associated", meaning each level adds +1/2 to the CR. So 15 levels of wizard adds between 7 & 8 to the CR, bringing it up to something between 20 & 21. The Lich template adds +2 CR, for a final CR of 22 to 23. secondly, how would you go about equiping one of these? About the same way you'd go equipping a 15th level spellcaster, plus equipment for a Giant combatant. So probably a little bit of both, but neither very well. And thirdly, how would you go about beating him? Well, there are a few things we can rule out. Turning: No chance. The Giant has 19 Hit Dice, plus 15 class levels, and the lich gives +4 Turn Resistance. So you'd need to be able to turn a 38 HD undead. Not happening. Undeath to Death/Arrow of Undead Slaying/Disintegrate Those 19 HD of Giant adds +11 to the creature's Fortitude saving throw, boosting the normally anemic saving throw of undead and liches. It's Undead: that means no sneak attack, no big critical hits, no disease/poison/stunning/mind-affecting effects. As a lich, it also ignores cold & electricity So what can you do? Well, there are a few things open. First, it doesn't have any Spell Resistance. So spells that don't use a Fortitude or Will save will work just fine. And it's a Large Creature, so touch and ranged touch spells (including rays) are a viable option as well. Just remember to avoid the energy types its immune to. Now, sporting 34d12 hit dice means around 221 hit points; a 15th level caster with Heal can take away almost all of that. A nice follow up is to have the wizard with the antimagic field sychronize his action with the fighter who charges up with a Bludgeoning weapon to nicely trash the creature; it's AC is worse than the Storm Giants without magic items or spells (hence the antimagic field) You don't mention what level the PCs are; that's a fairly strong factor in the tactics you use. If they're around 20th level, greater dispelling is a great choice. If they're lower level, not so much so. It's a longer, slower process, but one strong tactic to use is to have one character Ready an action to either use Counterspelling, Greater dispelling, or an attack to disrupt the creature's spellcasting. There are four PCs, and only one opponent; having one PC give up their actions to neutralize his is a great bargain. Otherwise, consider using dispel magic or greater dispelling against any bracers, rings, and headbands he's wearing; that shuts down a lot of potential defense and spellcasting boosts. If you want to go for the "counter his actions", there are some things that will help. If one character with a weapon that can hurt the lich is making attacks, Animal Companions, Familiars, and low-level Summoned creatures can all use the Aid Another action to give the "disruptor" bonuses to his AC. (and attack bonus, as needed) Even if one PC has to do nothing but heal/dispel/remove curse on the "Disruptor", you're still looking at two lost PC actions to neutralize the opponent.
Darth Sephiroth 02-28-06, 03:25 PM	Vials of holy water would work, large numbers of them, unless you can get some big, honking space guns...
Talisman 03-01-06, 04:32 PM	Mordenkainen's disjunction is a killer spell iff your PCs have access to 9th-level magic. It trashes any active spell effects and has a darn good chance at destroying magic items. Yes, they'll get less loot, but they'll be alive to get some. If a PC has the Purify Spell feat from Book of Exalted Deeds (good creatures take no damage from the spell), the good-aligned melee people can bash away while the spellcaster(s) hurl area-effect damage spells.
Dench 03-01-06, 04:45 PM	A 40th level Cleric with 50 Wis will do the job, the thing is how are you going to pay him. :D
Marvos 03-01-06, 09:36 PM	Run!!!!!